Surprise

In the western district of the imperial capital, when Leian knocked on the villa's courtyard gate, he was completely stunned on the spot.

A thick carpet had been temporarily spread across the modestly sized courtyard. Two chubby-cheeked children were rolling around and playing on it.

The villa's owners, Barry and Annie, sat nearby in the sun. One was absorbed in a book, while the other watched over the children with doting eyes. The one who opened the gate for Leian was the maid, Aili.

"Ah, Young Master Leian, you're back!"

The moment she saw Leian, Aili cried out in delight.

Two years had passed, and Aili had grown a little taller, her figure becoming even more graceful and alluring. Perhaps because she had trained in battle aura, she also carried a faintly valiant air.

"Leian is back?"

Hearing the shout, Barry and Annie both rose and headed toward the gate.

Two years later, Barry and Annie had not changed much. Annie even looked somewhat younger.

"Father, Mother, I'm back!"

After greeting them, Leian looked at the two children on the carpet and asked with an uncontrollable smile:

"These are?"

Though he had already guessed, Leian still wanted to confirm it himself.

Barry chuckled, rubbing his hands together as he said, "These are your younger brother and sister, Allen and Bella!"

Leian could not help giving his father a thumbs-up. The two children were nearly identical in build and appearance; one look was enough to tell they were twins.

"B-big kitty!"

The two little ones had noticed Leian long ago, but they were clearly more interested in Selina, who followed behind him. They were already toddling unsteadily toward her.

"Careful!"

Having lived in the imperial capital for over two years, Barry and Annie had broadened their horizons considerably. They immediately recognized that Selina was no ordinary housecat, and the couple rushed forward to scoop up the two mischievous children.

"Big kitty, big kitty..."

The little ones were clearly unhappy about being held. They struggled ceaselessly in their parents' arms, still chanting the words.

"Is this a magical beast you tamed?"

Ignoring the children in his arms, Barry looked at Selina behind Leian and asked uncertainly.

He had seen quite a few magical beasts tamed by powerful people in the imperial capital, and every one of them had been large and imposing.

Compared to those magical beasts, this one that looked like a housecat had no intimidating presence at all. It was so small that no one could even ride it. Wouldn't taking it outside just invite ridicule?

Leian did not know what Barry was thinking, but even if he had, he would not have found it strange. Phantom Magic Monkeys were rare level-nine magical beasts to begin with, so ordinary people truly knew little about them. Even on the streets of the imperial capital earlier, few had recognized Selina's origins.

However, Leian had mainly tamed Selina to protect Barry and Annie. Now that his father had taken the initiative to ask, he introduced her directly.

"This is Selina. Her true form is a Phantom Magic Monkey, a level-nine magical beast."

"A level-nine magical beast?"

Barry was dumbfounded, so shocked he nearly bit his tongue. After examining Selina again, he seemed to recall something and suddenly stared at Leian.

"Then the newly risen powerful warrior rumored to have slain a Green-Eyed Horned Tiger with one sword strike outside the Youquan Mountain Range... that was you?"

"It was."

Leian had not expected his father to bring that up so suddenly, but he did not hide it and admitted it outright.

"It really was you!"

Barry's eyes widened excitedly, his voice full of amazement. His family had been ordinary commoners for generations, yet he had never imagined that his generation would produce such an extraordinary son.

Slaying a level-eight magical beast with one sword strike and successfully taming a level-nine magical beast—what did that even mean? In the past, he would not have dared dream of such a thing.

Only after a long while did Barry and Annie gradually recover from their shock. When they looked at Leian again, their eyes were filled with pride.

Barry held his little daughter Bella in one arm and draped the other around his eldest son Leian's shoulder. As they walked into the house, he grinned and said:

"Leian, do you know? Two years ago, when I first heard in a tavern in the imperial capital that the young warrior who killed a level-eight Green-Eyed Horned Tiger outside the Youquan Mountain Range with one strike was named Leian, I was shocked, but I never dared connect it to you.

"Even later, when someone mentioned that the young powerhouse carried two longswords, one large and one small—especially that greatsword, whose size and shape were described exactly like yours—I still did not dare be sure.

"Until today, until today... when you told me yourself that it was you..."

The more Barry spoke, the more excited he became. He looked like he was drunk, his face flushed red with exhilaration.

After Barry finally calmed down again, he could not help pulling Leian over to ask about his experiences over the past two years.

Seeing that Barry was in high spirits, Leian did not want to spoil the mood. He selected some of his experiences and observations in the Youquan Mountain Range and began recounting them slowly.

In the villa's hall, Annie and Aili also sat nearby and listened quietly.

Of the family of six, only the two youngest children could not sit still. They kept wanting to touch the "big kitty" they talked about.

Unfortunately, Selina had no interest whatsoever in the two little ones. She even deliberately leaped onto the roof and lay there basking in the sun.

Although Leian was Selina's master, a level-nine magical beast had its own pride. He could not force Selina to act like a pet and play with his younger brother and sister.

Time passed bit by bit amid their conversation. Not long after noon, the courtyard gate was knocked on again.

Before long, Aili led a middle-aged knight inside.

"A court knight!"

The instant Barry saw the middle-aged knight's golden armor, the words slipped out of his mouth. Having lived in the imperial capital for two years, he was more than familiar with that kind of golden armor.

The words "court" were enough to reveal the man's origins.

Yet this court knight was exceedingly humble. The moment he entered the hall, he bowed respectfully and said:

"Asheborn, Commander of the Holy Radiance Knights, greets Lord Leian, Mr. Barry, and Madam Annie."

The Byron Empire's royal family had a total of six knight orders. It was said that even their lowest-ranking knights were level-six warriors, while their commanders were level-eight powerhouses. Their main duty was to guard the imperial palace.

As the commander of the Holy Radiance Knights, Asheborn was undoubtedly a level-eight warrior.

With such strength, status, and position, Leian did not put on airs. He said evenly, "No need for such formality. May I ask why you have come?"

Asheborn remained just as respectful and replied:

"I have come on His Majesty's behalf. His Majesty wishes to meet Lord Leian and asks when you might be available."

As Asheborn explained his purpose, Barry and Annie were once again shaken. At that moment, they finally understood the status of a level-nine warrior. Even an emperor had to consider Leian's own wishes before meeting him.

Leian did not know what his parents were thinking at that moment. Otherwise, he would certainly have told them that his identity as a level-nine warrior was only one reason he received such treatment. The other was undoubtedly tied to the Goddess Token.

Of course, the emperor sending someone so quickly was probably also thanks to Derrick.

With that thought, Leian had already made up his mind. He said at once, "Since His Majesty wishes it, I will visit the palace to meet him tomorrow morning."

A hint of surprise flashed through Asheborn's eyes at how agreeable Leian was, but he reacted swiftly and immediately replied:

"Asheborn will certainly convey Lord Leian's wishes!"

With that, he took his leave.